Skift Foundation Teams With Foundation for Puerto Rico in Visitor Economy Recovery Initiatives

Earlier this year we announced the launch of Skift Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporate giving arm of Skift focused on providing services and monetary grants to the under-resourced destinations, organizations, and small businesses in the global travel and hospitality sectors worldwide.

As part of building our long-term legacy, we believe Skift Foundation can make a difference with our expertise and connections in the sectors we focus on.

Today we’re officially announcing our tie-up with Foundation for Puerto Rico (FPR), a public charity founded in 2011 that promotes opportunities for social and economic development in Puerto Rico focused on building the visitor economy and transforming Puerto Rico as a destination for the world. The SF+FPR strategic alliance will join forces in the long-term recovery of the island’s visitor economy.

The Skift Foundation has already started working with FPR on research and industry event initiatives to help in knowledge sharing and Skift connections in the travel sector, and is now working on helping on FPR’s “Bottom Up Destination Recovery Initiative.” This is an economic recovery strategy with a sustainable model, supporting communities to become more resilient and resourceful in the creation of tourism attractions and experiences.

The Skift team, through the Skift Foundation, will be working in Punta Santiago in Humacao in a community-based recovery program that aims to strengthen local communities building tourism-related small businesses. It will be providing monetary grants and its marketing, branding, design, and strategy expertise to the local businesses.

Earlier this year, as part of its annual retreat, the Skift team went to carry out reforestation work in the Humacao Nature Reserve, an important natural resource for the community and tourism in the region that was severely affected after Hurricane Maria.

Some more information about the Bottom Up Destination Recovery Initiative in the video from FPR below:

“We are honored that Skift was inspired by our work after their visit to Puerto Rico to
affirm their commitment to social innovation by establishing the Skift Foundation and
grateful that they selected us as their first collaborator. This alliance will allow us to
leverage resources, networks and knowledge of the global travel industry in support of
the work we do together with communities to boost their sustainable economic
development,” said María Jaunarena, EVP of Foundation for Puerto Rico.